Kerslake sat in his seat and looked up at Tang En, who was walking back. "What did you say to Barnes? He didn't look right."
Tang En sat down, turned his head and smiled at him. "Guess."
"How am I supposed to guess that …" Kerslake shrugged.
"You'll know very soon, David." Tang En did not answer directly.
Leighton Baines, who had returned to the field, did not have a chance to find his target. He did not dare to leave his position without permission when there was no dead ball. What if the opponent counterattacked?
Therefore, Kerslake did not see what Tang En's so-called adjustment was, but at this time, he could only wait patiently.
Finally, when George Wood knocked Fàbregas to the ground, the referee whistled for a foul. Arsenal were awarded a free kick in the center circle. The Highbury stadium was filled with boos aimed at the offender. However, the boos were not as loud as what Wood heard at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Arsenal was different from Inter Milan. They had been entangled with Nottingham Forest for nearly two seasons. The Arsenal fans were familiar with George Wood and knew what kind of person he was.
Wood looked at Fàbregas who was lying on the ground. He did not go forward to pull him up to show his friendliness. Instead, he turned around and ran back.
Leighton Baines came running up.
"George, George."
Wood stopped walking. "What is it?"
"The boss asked me to bring you a message."
Wood turned his head to look at Tang En, who was sitting below the field.
"He asked you to move your position forward."
Wood turned his head to look at Twain again.
"He told you to be more active in the offense, to raise your hand for the ball, and then … he told you to do as you see fit!"
Wood turned his head and stared at Barnes.
Barnes was a little scared by Wood's stare. He quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes. That's what he said. I didn't change a word. He told me to tell you exactly what he said, so that you wouldn't doubt anything. He even said … if we succeed, it's all yours, but if we fail, it's his responsibility. "
"Okay, I got it." Wood believed Baines' words. He had no reason to lie to him.
Leighton Baines let out a long breath and was about to run back. Just as he turned around, he remembered something and turned his head to ask, "George? Have you been practicing your offense these days? "
Wood nodded.
Barnes smiled. "Then I believe you can do it. Press on! Show Arsenal what you're capable of! "
Looking at his teammate's smile and hearing such encouragement, Wood did not say anything. He just turned around and ran away.
Arsenal took advantage of the free kick to launch a series of attacks, intending to make the game look better. If they were lucky enough to score another goal, they would be able to lock in the victory. With 19 minutes left until the end, Nottingham, Forest, Forest, and Nottingham Forest. They could also relax a little when they went to the City Ground stadium with a 2: 0 advantage.
Seeing that Baines had passed the message to Wood, Tang En got up from his seat and walked to the sidelines.
※ ※ ※
Because it was a defensive counterattack, Arsenal did not put many players into the offense. The few players could not pose much of a threat to the Forest team's goal. Nottingham Forest quickly regained the initiative.
Soon, Wood, and to Wood. Wood. to. Arsenal's defensive attention was focused on Arteta, on players like Ribéry, Ashley Young, Anelka and Viduka. Wood took the ball in the backfield, but none of the Arsenal players went up to snatch it away from him. Henry only went through the motions and ran back.
Wood controlled the ball at his feet. He was not in a hurry to pass it. Leighton Baines' words echoed in his mind.
"… He said you have to be more active in the offense. He wants you to take the initiative to ask for the ball. Then … he wants you to do as you see fit. If you succeed, it's yours. If you fail, it's his responsibility."
Easy for him to say! Do as I see fit? How?
Wood could only do as he saw. There were no Arsenal players in front of him. Instead, Arteta was being taken care of. Edu followed him closely.
Albertini had told him that if he did not know who to pass the ball to, he should pass it to the teammate closest to him. Now, Arteta was closest to him. But could he pass the ball to Arteta? Obviously not. If he passed it to him, it would be easy to lose the ball under that level of defense. Although it had more to do with the player receiving the ball, should he just watch as the ball was about to be intercepted? Was he supposed to pass the ball over irresponsibly?
Passing the ball was not just a ball. It was more of a responsibility. This was what Albertini had repeatedly told him during training. He had always kept it in mind. Passing the ball at will and passing the ball to a teammate who was not in a good position was the embodiment of irresponsibility. Such behavior could lead to a big mistake. George was a defensive midfielder. He knew what such a big mistake would be. He would not allow it to happen. If his teammate easily lost the ball, he would be very angry. How could he ask him to do so?
Since he could not pass it to Arteta, who should he pass it to?
Wood looked around. Ashley Young was trying his best to get in front, and Ashley Cole was not following closely. This might be an opportunity. The only problem was that the distance was too far. Wood was not confident that he could accurately send the ball to his teammate's feet at a distance of more than thirty meters. His passing level could only guarantee that he could accurately pass the ball to his teammate within ten meters. As for long passes of more than thirty meters, that was not his job in the past.
Ribéry did not cling to the flanks. Instead, he moved closer to the middle. Unfortunately, his problem was the same as Arteta's. He had been very popular last season and had continued to rise this season. He had become a key target in the competition.
There was not much time left for George. Wood had to think through all the situations before he sent the ball out. He had to do something. Since there was no suitable target to pass the ball to, then …
Wood chose the simplest method. He dribbled the ball forward himself!
"It's unbelievable. George Wood, who would immediately pass the ball after receiving it, actually dribbled the ball forward himself! Did Albertini wear the wrong jersey? "The commentator teased Wood, who was a little reserved when he dribbled the ball.
George's dribbling was a little clumsy. It was not that he did not know how to dribble the ball, but that he rarely dribbled the ball forward in a match.
Henry hesitated for a moment. While he was thinking about whether or not to defend, George Wood had already run past him. The distance between the ball and his feet was very suitable. Henry could not find a suitable opportunity to intercept the ball even if he wanted to.
His basic skills were very good. Even though George Wood had now become the main force of the First Team, Tang En still asked him to persevere in practicing his basic skills. Because Wood had started late, he could not abandon his basic skills if he wanted to achieve greater success in the future. He had to continue practicing.
Wood dribbled the ball past Henry. The French striker hesitated for a moment before he immediately turned around to give chase. He had already realized that Wood had become the true initiator of the attack.
"George! Behind! "Arteta reminded him loudly from the front.
Fàbregas turned his head to look around and also went up to meet him. With one in front and one behind, the two attacked in a pincer attack. The ball could not escape.
When Wood saw that there were people in front and behind him, his mind suddenly went blank. He did not know what he should do. Then, Henry stretched his leg out from behind to poke the ball. Wood was caught off guard and watched as the football rolled out. Fàbregas came up to receive it. Arsenal switched from defense to offense …
When he saw the football land at Fàbregas's feet, the blankness in his mind suddenly disappeared. His thoughts returned to normal and he knew what he should do. Without hesitation … he quickly poked the ball out from Fàbregas!
Fàbregas completely did not expect Wood, who had appeared to be in a daze and did not know what to do, to move so quickly. It was as if he had become a different person in an instant. He froze on the spot for about a second. It was in that second that George Wood swept past him and regained possession of the ball.
Henry, who was behind Wood, could not see the situation between the two men. He knew that he had poked the football, and he also knew that Fàbregas was over there and would probably receive the ball. So, he prepared to turn around and run up to counterattack. Only when Wood ran away did he realize that the football had returned to the kid's feet!
Tang En, who saw the scene off the field, rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, "This bastard … Does he have to be in a defensive position to know what to do?"
Hearing that, Kerslake turned his head and stared at Tang En with wide eyes. "Tony, you pushed him up?"
"It's not like you don't know what we've been practicing on him these days, David. Don't pretend to be so surprised. "
"I'm just surprised that you put it into action so quickly … It's not like you don't know his current level …"
"What can I do? Wenger is already familiar with everything we have. If we want to break the awkward deadlock on the field, we can only do something different, something fierce … Do you know what a catalyst is needed in a chemical reaction, David? This match is the catalyst. "
"I really don't know what to say about you for betting on him … Are you crazy or confident?"
"Both."
"But if we get eliminated because of this, Tony, you know …"
"I'll take full responsibility." Tang En grinned. Seeing his smile, Kerslake was completely speechless.
"Alright, do whatever you want …"
※ ※ ※
Wood regained the football. Because of his sudden insertion this time, an empty space appeared beside Arteta. He saw it. He saw it with a glance. Without hesitation, Wood passed the football out.
Arteta used his skills to shake off Edu's defense and passed the ball to Ashley Young. Young did not pass the ball. Instead, he cut inside to shoot! The football he shot out hit Senderos's leg and slowed down, allowing Lehmann to catch it.
The Forest team's attack was over.
Seeing that Ashley Young's shot was received by Lehmann, Arteta turned around and intended to give George Wood a thumbs up to encourage and praise him, telling him how well he had done just now. But he did not expect to only see Wood's back — Nottingham Forest's number 13 was desperately returning to defend.
Looking at the hurried back, Arteta could not help but laugh.
Arsenal's attack also ended in the hands of the Forest team's goalkeeper. Edwin van der Sar's steady save did not make Reyes' shot pose any threat.
Edwin van der Sar threw the ball to launch an attack. This time, the throw went straight across the field. Arteta headed the football straight back to George Wood under Edu's close marking.
This time, Wood did not continue to dribble the ball. Instead, he passed the ball out again after receiving the football. His target was Leighton Baines, who had plugged in from behind.
The Forest team's flank attack was in full force. The two full backs frequently plugged in to assist.
Of course, this was also within Arsenal's expectations. Wenger was well aware that the flank was the Forest team's most incisive offensive means, so he had already laid out a heavy force there. Baines's breakthrough was contained. In desperation, he could only pass the football back to Wood to find another way.
Unknowingly, everyone used Wood as a transit point for offense and defense. Arteta went too deep and was closely marked by the opponent. Now Wood was the freest person. He could calmly receive the ball without interference and then decide where it would go.
Wood was forced to become the core of the Forest team in the final moments of the game.
Whether he was willing or not, he could not let go of this burden before the game was over.
Wood got the ball and Fàbregas pounced on him. The two of them completed the role swap. In the past, it was Wood who defended against Fàbregas. Now it was Fàbregas' turn to defend against Wood.
Faced with Fàbregas' defense, Wood did not know what to do. He saw Arteta running towards him and gesturing to him at the same time. That meant for him to pass the football over and then run horizontally to the right.
Wood did not hesitate. He passed the football over and then obediently ran horizontally to the right. Arteta's back was facing Arsenal's goal. Edu was pressing hard. He could not turn around, but he did not intend to turn around.
After seeing Wood run over, Arteta passed the football back. Then he turned around and ran forward. It looked like he wanted to coordinate with Wood.
Wood thought so at first. He had intended to follow up and pass the football to Arteta, but found that Edu was still pressing hard. Wenger knew that Arteta was the core of the Forest team's offense when Albertini was not around. The Brazilian midfielder thought that as long as he defended against the RCD Espanyol, he could paralyze the Forest team's offense.
Generally speaking, this was the right idea and arrangement.
However, today's game was a little special.
George Wood lifted his leg before he saw that Edu was still following Arteta. He could not just pass the football out like that, because Arteta would not be able to receive it easily.
Anelka pulled him back. Wood changed his mind at the last minute and passed the football to him.
When the Frenchman received the football, there were loud boos in Highbury. In fact, the boos had been ringing since Wood took the ball. It only peaked after Anelka received the ball.
After Anelka received the ball, Arsenal's defensive line immediately tensed up. They knew that the man in front of them could threaten the goal guarded by Lehmann. That's different from George Wood, who can't shoot at goal. Touré followed, intending to stop Anelka from shooting.
Arteta turned around to come up and support his teammate. The Forest team's intention to storm the middle was already clear.
Anelka wanted to force his way through Touré, but his ball was intercepted by Touré.
The Forest team's offense was over!
"It's a pity that Anelka is too independent! It would have been better to pass the ball to Arteta … "
"If he passes the ball, then he's not Anelka."
Touré intercepted Anelka's ball and prepared to pass the ball to counterattack. The football was passed forward, but it was not an Arsenal player who received the ball. It was … George Wood.
When Wood saw that Anelka's dribbling had been intercepted, he had already blocked the route of Touré's pass to Fàbregas. Just as Fàbregas understood him, he was also well aware that Fàbregas was the core of Arsenal's tactics. This kind of defensive to offensive pass would definitely be handled by him.
George Wood, who intercepted the ball, immediately passed it to Anelka. Anelka looked at the situation in front of him. This time, he did not choose to force his way through. Instead, he made a breakthrough motion and passed the ball to Arteta, who came up to receive. Then he quickly plugged forward, wanting to make a wall pass with Arteta.
Arsenal's defensive players were well aware of his intentions. Touré did not fall for it. He followed Anelka back into the penalty area. As long as he kept a close eye on this man, the Forest team's offense would be ended again. Arteta turned his head to look at Anelka, which further strengthened Touré and the others' thoughts. Keep a close eye on Anelka. That Spanish kid with his back to our goal is no threat!
Arteta looked at Anelka, but he did not pass the football to him. Instead, he chose a route that no one expected — he directly pushed the football back to George Wood.
Then, just as he kicked the football back, he shouted to Wood, "Shoot! George! Don't stop! "
Wood heard Arteta's shout because they were very close to each other. Just as he did not know what to do, Arteta's shout reminded him — shoot, shoot directly!
There was no one next to George Wood following him. Arsenal's defensive attention had just been attracted by Anelka and Arteta. Even Fàbregas was only staring at Anelka, who cut inside.
On the sidelines, Twain clenched his fists when he saw Arteta pass the football back to Wood. "You f * * king hold him down, bastard!"
Wood swung his right leg. He did not run up and remained in place. He aimed at the football that was rolling over and gave it a hard kick!
At the same time, Arteta crouched down, leaving Edu to watch in astonishment as the football rushed toward him like a cannonball. It whizzed past him, bringing with it a gust of wind and a few wisps of grass.
"George _ WOOOOOO — —"
It was full of strength and astonishing speed. In a flash, it was in front of Lehmann. The only regret was that, like his header, it was too direct!
But Lehmann did not dare to receive the ball that was directly hit into his arms. Why? Because he suddenly had a fear. He was afraid that he would let go.
The German goalkeeper finally chose the only thing he could do, which was to hit the football out. He swung his fist and hit the football. With a "bang!", the football and him both flew out.
Lehmann fell into the goal, and the football flew back to the middle of the penalty area.
It did not go in! Although he was in a sorry state, Lehmann defended against the sudden shot.
But was the Forest team's offense finished?
No!
Anelka, who had just cut inside the penalty area to receive Arteta's pass, appeared like a ghost in front of the football. There was not a single defensive player around him. The Arsenal players' attention was all attracted by Wood's sudden shot.
"Nicolas Anelka — YES!"
Anelka faced the overwhelming number of middle fingers and "F" -shaped mouths in the north grandstand. He got into position, then swung his right leg in a circle and swept the football in the air into the empty goal with a horizontal sweep.
Judas turned into a demon and gave his former master a fatal blow. (To be continued, if you want to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. More chapters. Support the author. Support genuine reading!)
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